BOARD MOUNTED FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR

摘要

An optical fiber connector assembly (10) is disclosed for mating the end of an optical fiber (14) with a fiber of a second optical connector element (18). A cylindrical ferrule (26) is adapted to be secured around the optical fiber. A ferrule holder (28) is adapted to be secured about the ferrule. A housing (36) is adapted for receiving the ferrule holder, the housing having a rear open end (50) into which the ferrule holder can be assembled. A spring (32) within the housing biases the ferrule holder forwardly. The housing is adapted for relative permanent mounting to a substructure such as a printed circuit board (12). A retainer clip (38) is insertable through an opening (40) in the housing from the exterior thereof against a rear portion of the spring to retain the spring within the housing in loaded condition biasing the ferrule holder forwardly in the housing. The retainer clip can be readily removed to allow the ferrule holder to be disassembled from the housing through the rear open end thereof without unmounting the housing from the substructure. A spring (68) loaded, retractable shroud (60) is provided at the front end of the housing for surrounding and protecting the projecting end of the optical fiber, the shroud being retractable automatically relative to the housing upon mating of the connector assembly with the second optical connector element.